Houet: 943 recruits from the third wave of the 2025 contingent, including 30 women, were officially presented to the flag this Tuesday at the Ouezzin-Coulibaly camp in Bobo-Dioulasso, marking their entry into the ranks of the National Armed Forces.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant-Colonel Lassan© Porgo, the commander of the 2nd Military Region and commanding officer of the Bobo-Dioulasso garrison. It marked the solemn commitment of the new recruits to serve the Nation with discipline, loyalty, and patriotism after twenty weeks of rigorous military training.
Battalion Chief Honor© B¨ Palm, the commander of the Armed Forces Training Group (GIFA), highlighted that the recruits, who joined on April 3, 2026, underwent four months of intensive training. This training was focused on adaptation, toughening, and consolidating skills necessary for combating terrorism, including combat techniques, shooting, first aid, and awareness of improvised explosive devices.
Speaking to the press, Lieutenant-Colonel Lassan© Porgo emphasized the significance of the presentation to the flag as a pivotal moment in a soldier's life. He stated, "This is the first time that these soldiers are officially accepted into the ranks. They take an oath before the people, before their families and before the hierarchy to defend the homeland until the supreme sacrifice." He urged the recruits to maintain their commitment and discipline to effectively contribute to national defense.
Private First Class Abdoul Razack Compaor©, representing the recruits, expressed pride in achieving this milestone. "Today, I am filled with the feeling of having pushed myself to my limits, of having overcome fear and fatigue. I am very happy to have joined the great military family, to wear the badge, the uniform, and the hard-earned beret," he stated. He assured that the recruits are prepared to defend Burkina Faso.
The ceremony concluded with practical demonstrations of the skills acquired during training. The recruits showcased their ability to rapidly assemble and disassemble weapons and conducted a tactical response simulation to an ambush, demonstrating their readiness and operational capabilities.